-
May 22, 2018
/ Jersey City, NJ – In what is likely
one of the most important evenings of their lives, the Hudson County
Community College (HCCC) Class of 2018 was joined by family and
friends, as well as elected officials, and HCCC Trustees,
administrators, faculty, and staff for a graduation celebration. The
College’s 41st Commencement ceremonies at New Jersey Performing
Arts Center in Newark, took place on Thursday, May 17.
-
-
Following
an invocation led by Mount Olive Baptist Church Pastor Reverend John
McReynolds, HCCC President Glen Gabert, Ph.D. delivered welcoming
remarks and introduced Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and HCCC
Board of Trustees Chair William J. Netchert, both of whom spoke.
-
-
HCCC
Instructor of Theater Arts Joseph Gallo then provided the
introduction to the keynote speaker, award-winning Broadway and
television actor, composer, and lyricist Christopher Jackson who is
best known for his role as George Washington in the Broadway hit
musical, “Hamilton.”
-
-
Mr.
Jackson began his address by telling the graduates: “It is
statistically impossible to count the number of things that had to go
right in order for you to walk across the stage this evening. Some of
you are the first in your families to graduate from college. Some of
you had to overcome some incredibly long odds to finish – language
barriers, cultural barriers, economic obstacles, crazy Presidents,
times when it seemed like no one else
-
in
the world could understand what you were going through. But it wasn’t
blind luck that brought you here. Your hard work, your discipline,
application of your education and studies, your resilience got you
here. You earned this.”
-
-
Mr.
Jackson expressed that as a society, we are in desperate need of
miracles today as much of our discourse is guided by hate, fear,
doubt and cynicism. “But I see hope in your faces right now. I
can’t help but to be optimistic” Mr. Jackson told the Class of
2018.
-
-
Mr.
Jackson, who also attended community college, explained that a
community college is a special place, saying that it is an
institution that dedicates itself to fostering an inclusive
environment and a communal experience. “It’s the how-to for our
society. A place where dreams are born and ambitions are cultivated,”
he stated.
-
-
The
entertainer related that he learned how to recognize and surround
himself with people who would help foster his special dream. He spoke
about his acting career and the successes he would never have dreamed
of attaining, such as performing at the White House for President
Barack Obama.
-
-
Mr.
Jackson then shared with the graduates: “There are going to be
difficulties in your life. There will be setbacks and outright
failures, and that’s okay. It will hurt, and that’s okay. Some
will doubt you and you will be told to turn around, to pick something
easier, more attainable. But do not, for one second, live with lack
of ambition or vision.”
-